Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-09-23
PATRONS OF MUsBANDRY
MORTIMER WHITEHEAD.

One of the mistakes that has been
made by some Oranges is in expecting
too much at once. A crop cannot be Sc
cured except the ground be carefully
prepared, the seed planted and then
weeks and months pass in care and cul-
tivation before the harvest comes
around.
"Heayen is not reached ut single
bound.
But we build the ladder by which we
rise
From lowly earth to vaulted skies,
And we mount to the summit found by
round"
All Grange work should be entered
upon deliberately, carefully, one thing
at time well done, ever moving on
ward and upward. 1t is by we'll plan
ned, we'll organized work that the
Grange to day is steadily lifting agrl-
culture and its votaries from the ruts
of the past and placing it again sat the
'front.'"
There are some who believe the
Grange is short lived. On what grounH
do they rest their superstition? 1t con-
.ains the elements of endurance ana
permanency not found in organizations
L.
that have lived and flourished much
longer. 1t is helped OH and sustained,
not by one member of the family, but
by two and often by hals-a-dozen, VINO
feel that they owe to the Grange much
Of the happiness and prosperity which
has attended them for the past five or
ten years, and they would almost as
soon think OF giving up their home as
their Oranges. We believe the founders
of the Order built upon. solid masonry
with the hope and expectation OF
grand and noble future, and to day
there is every indication that the
Grange has come to stay, and with IN
creasing years and experience will come
increasing benefits TO all. To make our
Order perpetual, then, let us "strive to
secure entire harmony, good will aud
brotherhood among ourselves. y Grange
Home.
Question for discussion by Subordi-
nate Oranges: What is the full Grange
meaning of the words, Noted for FL
deity" On opening the discussion Of
this question the Lecturer will please
read to the Grange the obligations of
the four degrees, the obligation of the
officers and the Grange charter.
Never in the history of Agriculture
in Massachusetts, and New England has
there been such earnest and vice spread
interest in the Order Of Patrons of Hus-
bandry as right now. Farmers are be-
ginning to realize that organization and
cooperation alone can solve their prob
lens and overcome the difficulties which
5eset them. Giant Monopoly on one
side and Giant Labor on the other
threaten between them to annihilate
Giant Agriculture, who, more powerful
than both together, slumbers on. in bliss
full ignorance of his own strength and
danger, and the farmers, their lands
and their homes are in jeopardy. Be-
sides many local questions of import
ance there are national questions which
command our attention and action. The
Department of Agriculture should, at
next session of Congress, be enlarged
and rendered more useful, and its chief
made a Cabinet officer. Interstate COM
merce must be properly protected.
The Agricultural Experiment Station
appropriations are to be secured and
carefully used in the interests of the TIL
lers of the soil. The patent laws are
unjust and need remodelling OIL the
basis of fairness to innocent purchasers
of patented articles. We must make
progress in agricultural and industrial
education. The great labor and liquor
questions will not be settled by the
cities. Brother, is there not work
enough? We must have all the pro-
gressive agriculturists working with
us."-A. A. Brigham.
''Reforms have been agitated in our
legislative halls that in short time
must elevate our calling to an equality
in the benefits of legislation, with those
enjoyed by other industries, and agri-
culture be made TO flourish and ac-
knowledged to be as it really is, the
most important of them all"
"The central idea Of the Grange
seems to be the development of brains
by the friction of the wits. The founders
OF the Grange saw the error of farmers
doing too much work. While disposed
ito do good as scripturally commanded,
the last part of the sentence 'and to
communicate forget not was unheeded,
hence the farmers isolation and loss of
influence in the affairs of men. This is
a condition the Oranges aims to correct.
At our district meetings the past winter,
literary exercises have beer the leading
features, calling for much thought and
action, many taking part and contrib
uting to their stock of ideas. None
seemed to regret their attendance. These
meetings break up the isolation Of
farmers and other members and lessne
their dumbness in meeting. Also in the
local Oranges there is talent developed.
Much could be said of the benefit of our
meetings from special standpointa all OF
which goes to prove the proposition that
the central idea of the Grange is the